If you weren’t a fan of “Only Murders in the Building” before, the new episodes likely won’t win you over.

Hulu’s popular murder-mystery comedy, focusing on amateur detectives and podcasters solving a strange number of murders in their New York apartment complex, kicks off its fourth season with much of the same formula as the previous three. For some fans, that’s great news. However, for those expecting more depth, comedy, or sophistication from this Emmy-nominated series, as I was, it’s a bit of a letdown.

The show’s creators, John Hoffman and Dan Fogelman, can’t be blamed for maintaining the familiar formula. The series has thrived on its laid-back charm for four seasons and has received both acclaim and Emmy nominations. As long as the beloved trio—Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez)—continues to entertain alongside star-studded guest appearances and a murder plot, everything seems fine. That is, until the audience potentially grows weary of it all.

“Only Murders” Season 4 (streaming Tuesdays, ★★ out of four) can feel a bit exhausting, much like the previous season. However, unlike the lackluster storyline centered on the murder related to Oliver’s Broadway performance, this season brings a bit more energy. Yes, it features Martin, Short, and Gomez delivering exaggerated physical comedy and generation-gap humor while tackling serious crimes. Still, there are some genuinely amusing moments from this season’s lineup of celebrity guest stars like Eva Longoria and Molly Shannon, and perhaps an intriguing mystery to engage with. That might be sufficient to overlook a few lackluster jokes from Short and uninspired delivery from Gomez. Maybe.

The new storyline centers on the murder of Sazz (Jane Lynch), a former stunt double and friend of Charles. It remains unclear whether Sazz’s death ties into the Arconia building or is connected to an upcoming movie inspired by the trio’s podcast. This film is rapidly progressing, directed by Hollywood executive Bev Melon (Shannon, who is ever delightful) and featuring Longoria, Zach Galifianakis, and Eugene Levy as the trio (playing exaggerated versions of themselves, which Longoria particularly finds delightful). Charles, Mabel, and Oliver navigate a myriad of challenges including a Hollywood production, a criminal conspiracy within the building, and their personal and romantic struggles, all while uncovering the truth about Sazz.

Four murders in four years within a single apartment complex? At this stage, even the characters are acknowledging the absurdity. Numerous self-referential jokes abound. While some are clever, “Murders” leans heavily on meta-humor and self-referential cameos. By the time Melissa McCarthy makes an appearance as Charles’ much younger sister who has a crush on Oliver, the show is dangerously close to “jumping the shark.”

Fortunately, Longoria brings a vibrant energy that outshines Gomez’s portrayal of Mabel (Sorry, fans of Selena!). Galifianakis reliably portrays himself as a self-absorbed character. And with the murder victim being someone close to the main trio, they are more emotionally invested in solving the crime. Dealing with loss becomes more profound when they’re holding the urn.

In the seven episodes (out of 10) available for review, it’s clear the series sticks to its established format. This format is quite straightforward: introduce a murder within the same apartment building; include at least one celebrity as an exaggerated version of themselves; apply a theme (this season revolves around cinema; last season was Broadway); incorporate a somewhat predictable twist in the third act; and voila! Another season of this show is ready.

While I might be oversimplifying, am I wrong in doing so? Being formulaic doesn’t inherently equate to being bad, but it can become tiresome. Your enjoyment of the show greatly relies on your fondness for its three main actors. If you can’t seem to get enough of Gomez, Martin, and Short’s quirky humor, you will likely look forward to many more seasons filled with more murders in that apartment building.

If this ongoing theme has begun to feel repetitive, rest assured that Season 4 is a mystery that you shouldn’t worry about unraveling.